Loudspeaker (Jan-Aug 1931)

Standard Release Print Progressing When the technical bureau of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences asked for inquiries and suggestions from the projectionists concerning the Standard Release Print make up which has been adopted by the producers, they probably did not anticipate the deluge of criticism and praise which has been rained upon them from projectionists all over the country. The system was developed under the direct supervision of Lester Cowan, manager of the academy technical bureau, who appointed S. J, Twining chairman of the Standard Release Print committee. During the development of the standard this committee worked very closely with the Projection Advisory Council and the American Projection Society. Mr. Twining recognized this help by the projectionists organization by saying in part: “Acknowledgement is hereby expressed on behalf of the Academy to the many technicians who contributed to the development of the Standard — including representatives of the seventeen major Hollywood studios, the Association of Motion Picture Producers, and the Hollywood chapters of the American Projection Society, the American Society of Cinematographers, and the Society of Motion Picture Engineers — to the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America for assistance in putting the Standard into effect, and to the Film Boards of Trade, the Projection Advisory Council and the American Projection Society for help in the maintenance and further development of the Standard.” He further demonstrated his broadmindedness and co-operative spirit by saying : “The specifications will be revised from time to time as necessary to further the general purpose of contributing to the highest quality of sound picture presentation.” This statement expressed more than anything else that the Academy expected that revisals and changes would be necessary before the ideal could be attained. It is very seldom that any big change is brought about in a single step. Mr. Thad. C. Barrows, president of the Projection Advisory Council, must have realized the fact that the first Standard was not perfect when he wrote, “We believe, from the projectionists’ standpoint that the Standard unquestionably represents a step in the right direction.” Mr. Barrows must have anticipated the present difference of opinion. No Solutions Offered A significant fact concerning the many communications which have been received by the Academy and P. A. C. from projectionists is that none offer any suggestions for a practical solution of the problem. They are fairly evenly divided between praise and condemnation which seems to point rather sharply to that fact that some changes, small ones, perhaps, but changes nevertheless, may be necessary. A. P. S. to Offer Recommendation Realizing the possibility of improvement to the Standard as it is now and realizing that its originators recognized the fact that from time to time revisals and improvements would present themselves which could be advantageously incorporated, Sidney Burton, president of California Chapter No. 7 of the American Projection Society, has set in motion a plan to secure a practical and workable improvement for the Standard. President Burton appointed a committee from the membership of Chapter No. 7 consisting of Wallace J. Maxon, Frank Erler, Ed Keller, James Pointer and T. H. Eckerson. The work of this committee will be to formulate a suggestion for improving the Standard. This suggestion will Seventeen